Wildflowers: Week One / Dorcas the DaisySample

Donated Dresses

Just like the perennial daisy that returns year after year, Dorcas would rise again. At least, that's what her friends believed. Their final favor was a tremendous act of faith. Unwilling to accept death as the final answer, they sent for Peter. Why? What could Peter do? I'll tell you what. By now, news had spread about the incredible power and anointing that had fallen on Peter on the day of Pentecost. The crowds saw him speak in tongues, and immediately following, he preached a barn-burner of a message, and "three thousand souls were added to them" (Acts 2:41).

Right after this awesome revival, Peter was walking through the temple area, and "a certain man lame from his mother's womb" cried out to Peter to be healed (Acts 3:2). Peter told the cripple, "Look at us" (v. 4). Expecting to receive money the man gave his full attention. Then, full of faith, Peter proclaimed, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (v. 6). That's bold. Peter had never performed a miracle before. The Spirit within him certainly stirred up an unbelievable faith. And the lame man rose up and walked. Acts 3:8 tells us the man went "walking, leaping, and praising God."

I love the friends of Dorcas. It's as though they come in a clump. Whatever they do, they do it together. It reminds me of the motto of the Musketeers, "All for one and one for all." Certainly, we are better together. There is power in the we! Jesus understood this when He said, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Wouldn't you know that daisies are the kind of wildflowers that grow in clusters just like Dorcas and her friends?

Peter responded immediately to the message from Dorcas' friends without knowing what they wanted. He joined them in the upper room and the women were showing off the lovely garments made by their friend. Oddly, he dismissed the weeping crowd. This task was private. Just two disciples: one dead, one very much alive—and the promise of Jesus. "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these" (John 14:12, NIV). Stop right here. To whom did Jesus make this promise? Whoever has faith in Him! Peter took that seriously. So should we. Oh Jesus, give me the faith of Peter, Dorcas, and her friends. Embolden and empower me to do greater things. Amen?

Read the verse below and answer the following questions:

"Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them" (Acts 9:39).

Practical Observation

1. How did Peter respond to the disciples' request?

2. Where did they take Peter? What event does this location call to mind?

3. Who were the people in this place? Describe their emotional state of being.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning," wrote the psalmist (30:5). None of us escape pain and sorrow. In fact, it's a common denominator of being human. Sorrow, however, doesn't stay forever. God's mercies are new every morning, offering us beginnings each day.

4. What did they show Peter, and how might this impact him?

5. Explain what he learned about the legacy of Dorcas.

Handmade gifts are the best gifts since they come from the heart and the hands. Dorcas gave her time and talent besides her money to bless the widows in her life. James reminded us that "pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble" (1:27).

Personal Application

a. Do you have a special place—an upper room—to meet with God? What things do you do in the space? Do you invite friends to join you there?

b. The friends of Dorcas honored her with tears and testimony. Take time to journal about a person in your life who deserves appreciation. Reach out to them this week to offer your gratefulness.

c. Peter was called to this place for a purpose. Do you have a situation in your life that requires "two or three" or more? Who would you reach out to for help?